Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) FINN MCCOOL showed ability from day one but started to make breaks every week – he recently changed barns, was re-rigged for his Yonkers debut and stayed trotting all the way, delivering a big final half for an excellent 2nd…he’ll be very tough to beat if he continues to behave, but remains a risky proposition at a short price! (2) IN YOUR HEART AS was 4th in her first 2 YR tries then 3rd in her last pair, chasing a couple of talented winners – solid chance here if #1 self-destructs. (4) CANIPILOTALL has all been solid in 4 local tries, and won’t be hurt with Gingras in the bike – another logical threat if the favorite can’t deliver. (7) NIGHTCAP MEARAS S finished better in her last couple and should be rallying late tonight…may be too far back to really threaten, however. (8) AC OUSTIC BLUE CHIP has ability but is often her own worst enemy – tough assignment drawing Post 8 after having to re-qualify. (5) PINE BUSH MIRACLE has yet to hit board in 5 local tries. (6) JUST ALL OUT arrives from Canada off a pair of discouraging tries– prefer to just observe as she debuts for her new barn. (3) TOPVILLE LADY didn’t function in her first local try (first start for new connections)

RACE 2 – (7) DELIGHTFUL DUDE just fell apart in June and landed on the shelf after a few poor performances – he recently re-qualified, had a good tightener at Pocono then found the winner’s circle there last week – returns to YR at the bottom level, gets Bartlett, and could be the one to beat, even with the bad draw. (3) MAXIMUS RED A has had an off year in 2026 but is still dangerous in a spot like this – look for a solid, aggressive effort tonight. (5) MASTER MIKI usually struggles here at Yonkers but he returned sharp from PA last week and gave the heavy favorite (#8) all he could handle – a similar effort could make him a player here too. (6) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE was super wearing down the 5-cents-on-the-dollar favorite 2 back but he’s not usually as effective when racing from well off the pace…as he figures to be tonight – ok underneath. (8) CYRUS N was a winner in his last pair but from inside posts – another that struggles a bit when stuck coming from too far back. (4) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N is 0 for 30 this year but grabs small pieces at times. (2) AVENGER FORCE has seen some barnmates pick up pieces at big prices recently – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (1) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY hasn’t been able to get going in 2026

RACE 3 – (7) CHANT was stuck chasing the surprisingly vicious pace last week before taking over, and can be forgiven for coming up a little tired in the latter stages – he may end up the best price of the main players in here, and that makes him worth a good look (5) SV MR T had plenty of success at the Iowa Fairs and certainly has thrived since being obtained by his white-hot connections – he’s jogged in both local starts (for Bongiorno and Holland), and is an obvious threat to keep his streak alive for Bartlett tonight. (2) BITOFTHEBUBBLY was well backed upon arrival from Canada and delivered the front end score – he sat the two hole in his last, and was even more impressive picking up the victory that night – has a post edge over the other two, and may be able to capitalize on it. (8) PINE BUSH LANDAU charged home 2 back then trotted a big final 3/8ths from an impossible spot last week – he’s very sharp, but also draws Post 8 in a good field! (1) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO made an uncharacteristic miscue last week but if she can shrug that off, she’ll have a chance for a minor share. (3) DIAMOND BAY and (4) CAPTAINF ORLIFE AS both seem a notch below the top ones, but either could grab minor spoils with an easy trip. (6) AVIATR IX BLUE CHIP seems off her game right now – the bad draw certainly isn’t going to help

RACE 4 – (1) ZEBS KRAFTY was caught in the back with no chance last week but his prior efforts were sharp – drops down to 20s, moves all the way inside, and looms the one to knock off. (8) MIND HUNTER has a pair of sharp tries since dropping to this level – gets the worst of the draw but he has the speed to leave hard, and his price will be fair – worth a look. (5) SAILBOAT HANOVER caught a hot mile off the qualifier but really wasn’t far off a board spot – he loves to win races, and could offer some value here. (7) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A showed his first signs of life in ages 3 back, was a big upset winner in his next, then simply had no prayer in his last – brutal draw dropping in for $20K tonight, but not a bad one for longshot fans. (2) AUSSIE HANOVER was one of a few from the barn to reverse form at a big price recently – maybe a small piece here too? (3) OVER THE HORIZON was scr. sick off the re-claim and catches a solid field tonight – leaning more towards others. (4) ONYX BOVINO seems more comfortable in 15s – minor spoils only. (6) HARD TO CATCH was ok last week, gets Bartlett, but he’s also 1 for 41 at Yonkers over the last 2 years.

RACE 5 – (5) LOVE ON THE RUN is now 2 for 2 to start off her career, winning on the front end at Chester then rallying from the back here at YR – we’ll stay on board as she looks to make it 3 for 3. (6) FUNKY BILLE CHIN is listed at 10-1 ML but used her gate speed to hit board in her last 3 starts, and can be right in the mix again tonight. (3) GOLDEEN N has legitimate speed/ability but has struggled with gait/steering issues in all of her starts – her qualifier featured more of the same but IF she somehow is close turning for home, she will be dangerous here. (4) COME ON BARBIE was a persistent first over winner 2 back but couldn’t sustain her bid well enough last week – remains a legitimate player, but may end up a bit overbet. (7) NOTHING MATTERS used a perfectly timed move to pick up the win 2 back, then rallied for a place DH in her last – 3 weeks off and Post 7 could slow her down a bit, however. (1) SANDO hasn’t really impressed since arriving 5 starts back, though she’s picked up a couple of pieces – needs to be better. (2) JUST MY WORLD usually finishes ok after getting lost early on – minor spoils? (8) WHEN PUNKY SPEAKS makes her local debut off a less than stellar looking qualifier.

RACE 6 – (1) ALIEN POWER steps back up to 30s but if he brings anything close to last week’s eye-popping 1:51.3 front end score (especially from the rail), he’s going to be awfully tough to deny – very short price looming. (2) EVER M went his best effort in a while last week, well meant and with good pace at both ends of the mile – may be the right one if looking to go against #1. (5) THE WICKED ONE was a very good 4th returning to YR 2 back then just missed last week – if he gets a decent trip here, he can be in the mix for another good chunk. (4) PARK ST REET BLUES was a close 2nd in his local debut but just couldn’t get into play trying to rally into a sharp final half in his last – another that could contend for a piece with a good journey. (6) SIMPLY FAST was well meant last time but unable to overcome a tough trip – may find himself in a similar boat tonight. (3) DONTTELLMENOW hasn’t been “sharp” in ages, though he has a couple of ok efforts...prefer others. (8) GEORGES WISH fits well enough but figures to be draw compromised. (7) REINCARNATED has been struggling and draws poorly off a bad date

RACE 7 – (8) DOLLAR DRAFT has taken 3 of 4 local starts, the lone loss coming when in a tough spot, off a sick scratch – steps up in class and draws post 8 but if Bartlett sticks with him (over #3), maybe we should too. (2) APEX TRACKER has developed into a promising trotter during his (late starting) 3YO campaign, and tonight’s draw should leave him closer to the action – looking for a big effort from him. (3) R LADY W was a big earner at 2 and 3 and was racing at high levels here this summer (with mixed results) – she recently took a few weeks off after a sick scratch, re-qualified, and did win the FM Invitational here with Marohn…can’t blame anybody looking to play her tonight, but Bartlett opting for #8 suggests she MAY need a start. (5) MONI BUYS HAPPYNES probably hasn’t lived up to expectations since joining her current connections but it’s not like she’s been “bad” – can be a part of this. (1) BIZZY BRENDA wasn’t at her sharpest when 4th last week but a few of her other recent tries could land her a share tonight. (6) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN drops out of 40s but gets a tough draw in a pretty solid field– prefer others a bit more. (4) HALFADOZEN probably needs easier right now to be effective. (7) MONI MAN comes off a pair of nice miles but tonight’s draw figures to limit his involvement.

RACE 8 – (4) GOING AWAY, like so many others, paid instant dividends upon joining her current barn – she struggled a bit trying the $50K level in her last couple of starts but assuming a wheel didn’t fall off, should be very tough dropping in for $20K tonight. (1) DASH N Cache had been outacing her odds every week and finally earned a trip to the winner’s circle last week – can be a big player once more with another inside draw. (2) STAYINGWITHT HEWIND also drops to 20s, but last week’s drop (from 50s to 30s) didn’t provide much benefit – Bartlett does stick with her, so we’ll see if this easier class helps boost her confidence a bit. (5) STAYCATION was “sneaky ok” at 31-1 two back, then a nice 3rd at long odds in her last – maybe she can land somewhere in the exotics at another big price? (7) IDEAL SKIES is usually right in the fray but hasn’t done much winning lately – if Gingras can leave fast enough to grab an early spot, she can grab a piece here too. (6) GABBYS WISH has been sharp for weeks and was a winner in her last – Bartlett opts for #2, but Ginsburg did win with her on 9/9– leaning elsewhere, but can’t rule out her chances. (3) WHOS PERFECT used an easy trip for 3rd last time but may not be as fortunate tonight. (8) DISAR ONNO HILL seems unlikely to get close enough to threaten from out here

RACE 9 – (4) VANNA BY THE RIVER has been chasing much better all year, and more than holding her own (including a 2nd in the OHSS Final) – good chance she can make her local debut a winning one. (2) EXISTENTIAL was scratched sick from her last but still feels like the biggest possible threat to the top one. (3) BIG WEEKEND earned $100K at 2 but never did get rolling as a 3YO – may still be a good enough fit with these to grab a decent piece. (1) KISSIN IN THE DARK was no factor from Post 7 in her local debut but moves all the way inside tonight and might bring a much more competitive effort. (6) MARTINI STAR is 0 for 21 at YR but one of her better efforts could help her take home a small share. (5) LYONS TRINA beat a very soft field last start and her connections can never be taken lightly – still leaning elsewhere. (8) TINAS WISH raced well here a couple of times but feels like a stretch from out here. (7) BELL OF LAZARUS may improve for her new barn but this doesn’t feel like the spot to look for it – watch for next time.